‘Dear President Zuma, please consider…’

SUZANNE BELLING

With the current situation in South Africa and the recent visit by Hamas at the invitation of the ANC, the community is concerned about their future in several areas. The SA Jewish Report spoke to several people in positions of leadership to ask them what issues they would like the president to address.

Reeva Forman, honorary life vice-president of the SA Zionist Federation and a member of the National Executive Committee and the Gauteng Council of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, would like Zuma to see the note she wrote to him:

“Dear President  Zuma

“What is your wish for South Africa over the next five to 10 years?

A true ‘rainbow nation’ in which each group, irrespective of race or creed, can walk with their heads high?

An economy based on the principles of democracy and free enterprise?

A totally independent judiciary?

All these seem to be under threat…” she said.

Professor Karen Milner, director of the Emthonjeni Centre, associate professor of psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand and a member of the Gauteng Council of the SAJBD, would like to ask the president: “What is the key lesson that has been learnt from South Africa’s successful transition to democracy that you would like to pass on to those striving for peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?”

Steven Gruzd, head of the governance programme at the SA Institute of International Affairs, wishes Zuma to comment on the triple threats to South Africa – of unemployment, poverty and inequality

“I would also like to know where the government stands in terms of the South African Jewish community and the Palestinian-Israeli situation.”

In the light of ANC’s recent welcome to Hamas leaders, Gruzd still wants clarification as to whether the SA government is for a two-state solution, “or is there a radical change in South Africa’s policy on the cards?

“Perhaps I’d also ask him how he could inspire all South Africans to work together for a better country. We need positive and visionary leadership at this point in our history,” Gruzd said.

Eric Marx, who was recently re-elected chairman of the Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies, said he would like Zuma to give him clear confirmation that the government’s stance on the Israeli/Palestinian issue was one of an honest, impartial broker.

He would like an explanation “as to why the government courted the Hamas leadership, having regard to the fact that Hamas is a terrorist organisation committed to the destruction of Israel”.

Marx would like to see a statement that anti-Semitism in South Africa is unacceptable “and this includes denying the right of the Jewish State of Israel”.

He asked for a commitment to clean governance in South Africa, including “zero tolerance” on corruption and wastage.

He also requested, “a commitment to partner with business to achieve a recovery in our economy, including good corporate governance in our state-owned enterprises”.

Dani Hovsha, chairman of the SA Union of Jewish Students, would also like to see Zuma address the issue of the Hamas visit. “I would like practical assurances that Jewish lives and Jewish voices will be protected across the country.”

She asked Zuma to comment on the #FeesMustFall campaign and that he would make education a priority for the government in the coming years.

Marlene Bethlehem, honorary life vice president of the Jewish Women’s Benevolent Society and veteran community leader, would like to ask the president to explain to the community “how he is dealing with corruption within the government. This is a huge problem,” she said.

Diane Levine, chairman of the Union of Jewish Women, Johannesburg, wishes to ask Zuma how the government is going to manage all the areas of need – for example the high rate of unemployment and what plans are in place to bring it down.

“Does he see a connection between unemployment and the current restrictive labour laws?” she asked.